30 Days Until Wii U: Did You Pre-Order?

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Why some of us can't wait for Wii U - and why some of us can.

By Brian Altano

In exactly 30 days, the next generation of video game consoles will officially kick off. Half of you are rolling your eyes at that statement and half of you are probably nodding in agreement, so I reached out to my fellow IGN editors to see if things were just as divisive around here. And, well, it turns out they kind of were...

Brian Altano, Executive Editor of News & Features says:

Yes

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

Absolutely yes. The first moment I could, in fact. The tablet weight feels great, the buttons and sticks have a wonderful click and snap to them and the latency between the touch screen and the television is practically unnoticeable. I'm excited to be able to play next-gen quality console games on a tablet with button controls, especially while my girlfriend hogs our TV with garbage like The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Baby, I love you but that show is making the world stupider.

What games did you pre-order with it?

New Super Mario Bros. U. The more I hear about ZombiU, the more excited I get. And of course Rayman Legends was on my radar, but with that being moved to 2013 I'll have to settle for the interesting array of downloadable e-shop games that will hopefully trickle out before Christmas. I'll wait for my buddies here at IGN to tell me if Wii U ports of older games will be the "definitive" version on Wii U or if they're quick cash-ins like all those other Real Housewives spin-off shows I swear I don't watch ever.

Justin Davis, Mobile Games Editor says:

No

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

I didn't pre-order a Wii-U. It's the first Nintendo home console I won't have at launch since the Super Nintendo.

I still love Nintendo. I love Zelda, Metroid and Animal Crossing. The problem is that the Wii U doesn't have Zelda, Metroid or Animal Crossing right now. Nintendo is making a lot of smart decisions. The hardware is sleek and innovative. It's smart that huge titles like Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed are available at launch. But I'm happy to pick up these titles for my PS3, Xbox 360 or gaming PC.

If you didn’t pre-order one, what (if anything) will push you to purchase one someday?

There are Wii U titles I'm eager to get my hands on. I'm a huge Pikmin fan and Pikmin 3 looks great. ZombiU looks like a great take on the crowded zombie genre. Even Nintendo Land looks more intriguing to me than it did at E3. But my decision to purchase a Wii U is a simple math problem. Until there are enough Wii U games I want to justify the $300 purchase, I'm going to hold off. The game library will get there eventually, but it's not there at launch.

Ashley Jenkins, Community and Social Media Boss says:

Exit Theatre Mode

Yes

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

Yes. Last generation I procrastinated on pre-ordering consoles, and as a result I couldn’t get my hands on an Xbox 360 for over a month after it came out. I’m not about to take that chance with this generation.

What games did you pre-order with it?

None yet. I want to learn more about the launch line-up... And I’m passively protesting the lack of Pikmin 3 at launch or any new Animal Crossing announcement.

Daemon Hatfield, Senior Editor says:

Exit Theatre Mode

No

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

I did not. There isn’t anything in the launch lineup I really need to play and I doubt the system itself will feel very “next-gen” in a year.

If you didn’t pre-order one, what (if anything) will push you to purchase one someday?

New Zelda, 3D Mario, and Metroid games that don’t use any motion controls whatsoever might get me on board.

Audrey Drake, Associate Editor says:

Exit Theatre Mode

Yes

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

I pre-ordered a deluxe Wii U. After the event in NYC – where I had more time with Nintendo’s first party games and learned about Nintendo TVii and the company’s broad range of launch window titles – the system finally piqued my interest enough to drop the cash. New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land look fun, but I’m also excited for Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and ZombiU, and looking ahead to games like the next Super Smash Bros., The Wonderful 101, Bayonetta 2, and other HD offerings only Wii U will offer.

What games did you pre-order with it?

I got the Deluxe bundle, so I’ll be getting Nintendo Land with my system. Other launch games I definitely plan on playing include New Super Mario Bros. U, Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition (any excuse to replay that game is fine by me), and ZombiU. In terms of “launch window,” I plan on playing Game & Wario, Pikmin 3, Rayman Legends, The Wonderful 101, and Wii Fit U (which is actually really fun!).

Colin Moriarty, Editor of IGN PlayStation says:

No

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

No.

If you didn’t pre-order one, what (if anything) will push you to purchase one someday?

Games and a price cut. I understand that there are games here (and forthcoming) that will appeal to some, but there's very little on Wii U that make me want to own one. Lots of ports and a few scattered first party titles aren't going to do it for me, and the system is technically underwhelming and too expensive for what it is. Super Mario World made me want to own an SNES. N64 had Mario 64 right out the gate. GameCube was a must-play early on because of Super Smash Bros. Melee. There's nothing on Wii U that makes me want to get it. Microsoft and Sony will both be announcing new consoles soon (so we assume), so I think my money is best saved right now and better spent a little later on those company's forthcoming products. This is the first Nintendo console I'm not clamoring for.

Peer Schneider / Publisher, IGN says:

Yes

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

I’m an addict. I have to get every new console on Day 1. The launch lineup didn’t really sell me on the system -- but I’m really curious about all the bells and whistles of the Wii U itself: the Miiverse, the channel setup and TV integration, and how Nintendo will utilize the second screen of the GamePad in conjunction with a traditional console in general. When Wii first came out I was really impressed with some of the unique applications and tools – the way Nintendo integrated weather reports, the ease of navigating the interface with a pointer, and the way they gave your virtual persona a face. A lot of these things are now commonplace, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Nintendo is coming up with next. Also, I have three kids. Four gamers in one house: gotta play Nintendo (no, they’re not old enough for Borderlands 2 yet).

What games did you pre-order with it?

Nintendo Land (well, as a pack-in – but I want it), New Super Mario Bros. U, and ZombiU. I’m waiting to see more of the other third-party titles to see how they turned out before committing. I’m definitely going to play games like Skylanders, Black Ops II, Assassin’s Creed III, or Epic Mickey 2; but my platform of choice for those is still TBD.

Samuel Claiborn, Executive Editor, IGN Wikis says:

Exit Theatre Mode

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

Yes

Yes. Peer pressure! But seriously, I love being a part of Nintendo console launches. I'm excited to explore the unannounced online features and play New Super Mario Bros. U. Also, my wife is very excited about Nintendo Land, so it was an easy decision.

What games did you pre-order with it?

None. I don't pre-order games since they are widely available at launch and I want to read reviews and weigh my options. I'll definitely buy New Super Mario Bros. U, though, and I'm getting Nintendo Land as a pack-in.

Ryan McCaffrey, Xbox Executive Editor says:

Exit Theatre Mode

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

No

Nope. None of the launch titles appealed to me enough to make me want to fork over $350 just yet. Heck, many of the third-party launch games are things I played months ago (Batman: Arkham City, Mass Effect 3, Ninja Gaiden 3).

If you didn’t pre-order one, what (if anything) will push you to purchase one someday?

If the inevitable mainline, 3D Mario game is anything like Super Mario Galaxy, I’ll happily drop three-and-a-half Benjamins on a Wii U.

Greg Miller, Executive Editor of IGN PlayStation says:

Exit Theatre Mode

No

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

I didn't. I'm excited to see how the Wii U pans out, but at launch, ZombiU is the only game that I feel like I have to play. So I volunteered (see: begged Rich) to review it. Beyond that -- BEYOND -- I'm sure I'll fool with Mario and Pikmin in the office.

If you didn’t pre-order one, what (if anything) will push you to purchase one someday?

Games. It's all about the games. Once a combination of Smash Bros., Paper Mario, Mario Kart and Mario Golf are on hand, I'll have no choice but to pick one up. Plus, whatever crazy game that uses the Wii U in a way I've never thought of. Hopefully, there will be a price drop by then.

Fran Mirabella III, Sr. Director of Video

Exit Theatre Mode

Yes

Did you pre-order a Wii U? Why?

I ordered the Wii U because it is the first new home console experience to arrive in over six years. The second-screen approach with the GamePad is really interesting (even if I have my gripes... *cough* no multi-touch *cough*). I am just ready for something new. I’m also someone that buys all the home consoles. I own Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii, so it’s less about choosing one system to invest in, versus having the option of what to play. And, despite any official announcements for a new Metroid, Zelda and Mario “Universe,” I'm totally excited about playing some of my favorite franchises in glorious HD. All that makes it worth it to me.

What games did you pre-order with it?

To be honest, I haven’t pre-ordered anything yet. I’m less worried about the games selling out. But I get Nintendo Land packed in to my Deluxe pre-order, and I plan to buy New Super Mario Bros. U and probably ZombiU since it’s both exclusive and custom tailored to the Wii U.

Did you pre-order a Wii U? If not, what could change your mind? We'd like to hear about it in comments below -- or be heard right here in our poll: